2015/16 schedule reaction: 'It doesn't get bigger than that'
Cologne - The excitement is already building ahead of the 2015/16 Bundesliga campaign's opening round of fixtures, which kicks off with a clash between reigning champions FC Bayern München and Hamburger SV on 14 August.
Allow bundesliga.com to round up the clubs' reaction to their respective Matchday 1 encounters...
Bruno Labbadia (Hamburger SV head coach): "We worked very hard in the final few weeks of last season to be able to keep on participating in games like these. The fact that the German champions await us on the opening day is a virtually seamless continuation of the rollercoaster ride of the past few weeks. It doesn’t get any bigger than that. We’re really looking forward to the new season and this difficult but incredibly exciting opening match at FC Bayern.
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Max Eberl (Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director): "We’re looking forward to the challenge [of playing Borussia Dortmund] in front of a wonderful crowd on the opening day."
Michael Zorc (Borussia Dortmund sporting director): "We consider the fixture list to be well-balanced, even if we do have to face an extremely strong opponent on the first day of the season. In any case, we're looking forward to getting started at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach."
Rudi Völler (Bayer 04 Leverkusen sporting director): "It’s a challenging start to the new season. Starting at home to Hoffenheim and with games in Hanover and Munich to come, we’ll be tested to our limits immediately."
Horst Held (FC Schalke 04 director of sport & communications): "Werder Bremen is an exciting prospect. They’ve become stronger at home, but we have good memories of visiting the Weserstadion in recent times."
Robin Dutt (VfB Stuttgart sporting director): "We’re happy to start the new season with a home game. The VfB fans’ exceptional support at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, particularly in the final few weeks of the season, was key to our survival. Together, we want to pick up where we left off in 2015/16."
Michael Frontzeck (Hannover 96 head coach): "I have a lot of respect for Darmstadt’s achievements in the last three years - it really is impressive. Every club goes into the opening game of the season with a degree of uncertainty. We’ll prepare well in order to start the new campaign in the best possible manner."
Dirk Schuster (Darmstadt 98 head coach): "Hannover 96 have been in the top flight for many years and are an attractive opponent. We’re really looking forward to the match at the Bölle. We might be going into the game as underdogs, but we’re determined to put in a good performance."